“UP WI' THE SOUTERS"

Evening Star, Issue 19021, 17 August 1925, Page 1

“UP Wl' THE SOUTERS"

SELKIRK COMMON RIDING. Selkirk's ancient' festival, ihc Common Riding, attracted large numbers of visitor*? to Lhe hurt’ll on June, ill, and the town was astir from early morning till lato at night. The preliminary ceremony in the morning was Ihc biasing 01 the burgh lla". Sirs Crichton, wire of Provost. Crichton, petformed tins duty, ami Ine I’rmusi iiam.nl iho flag over to the chosen stamlaifl-hean r, Mr David Wright, pm. The puicmsiun was then formed. At the river bank the common riders proceeded on their journey alone, headed by tho standard bearer. It took them two hours to onciiolo .Selkirk's boundaries, and (here were further scenes of enthusiasm when they camo galloping homo, shortly after 9 o'clock. Tho burgh standard bearer, at tho head, was given a great ovation In tho Market square there followed tho most spectacular ceremony of tho day. In the centre, on a raised scarlet-covered platform, the, colors were oast—first the burgh Hag and then the standards of the Incorporations (hammermen, shoemakers, weavers, and tailors), tho ex-service men, and Colonial bottlers. As each standard bearer performed his task the town band played tho popular local air 'Up Wi’ the .Souters o’ Selkirk.’ There were two particularly impressive incident.? in the Market square ceremony. One was tho homage to those who fell in the Great War, paid by the crowd in the observance of ono imuuie'.s silence at tho conclusion of tho casting of the colors of 'the ex-service men. Tho other was the band’s rendering of the lament which never fails to touch the heart, of a Souter —‘ The Flo’ers o’ the Forest ’ In tho afternoon horse races were hold at tho Gala Rig, and various Sunday schools iu tho town held picnics.